George Mbugua is a Respiratory Therapist Director based in Texas, USA.
A respiratory director is responsible for overseeing the respiratory therapy department of a healthcare facility including managing a team of respiratory therapists and ensuring that patients receive appropriate care.
However, his success and rise to the top came a price as he engaged in among other menial jobs, washing toilets.
Despite the challenges that he faced after relocating to the US, he was determined to a achieve his dream; to have an impact back home.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
George Mbugua, a native of Kiambu County moved to the United States in 2001 and settled in Seattle, Washington.
In an interview with Mkenya Marekani, Mbugua explained that he lived in Seattle for six years before moving to Kansas.
He joined Kansas Community College and pursued a course in respiratory therapy.
Growing up, Mbugua had an uncle who worked in the United States and he would be intrigued with the amazing things that he did.
“I always wanted to come here and join the rest of the family, I have a big family here. When I was a little child, I always aspired to move to the US,” he said.
He noted that he experienced culture shock with language and how advanced the country is in terms of development.
Mbugua travelled to the US as a student but he was unable to join school because they were required to pay Ksh 67,000 per semester.
“My mother sid not have that money and Inhad to move from Kansan to Seattle. After staying in Seattle for six years, I moved back to Kansas City for studies,” he said.
He explained that after settling down, he had to get a job and work towards achieving his dreams.
“I knew from the get-go I wanted to advance my education, I wanted to have a good life and have some kids back home that I’d help
“I wanted to have an impact back home and that’s why I kept myself busy; keep going to school and trying to be better each and everyday,” he said.
Mbugua said that finding a job was difficult because he had no proper papers that would enable him get a formal job.
“My first job was a janitor, I did not have any papers but there’s this guy in Seattle who ran a janitorial company who took me and he was paying really well,” he said.
He worked as a janitor for a year before getting he required documents and worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) for five years.
Mbugua later quit his CNA job and moved to Kansas where he enrolled himself in school.
“Initially, I wanted to do nursing but my application was rejected. I went to the respiratory department and talked with the director there who informed me of a respiratory program starting the following month,” he said.
He went ahead to submit his documents and he was admitted for the program.
“It’s a good field and the money is good. To me I always say something that I do is always a stepping stone
“At first, it was uncomfortable for me but as I went by, it’s a process of life and if other people are doing it, why can’t I do it,” Mbugua said.
He graduated with a Masters and started pursuing his PhD later at the University of Cumberlands, Kentucky.
A respiratory therapy director’s salary in Texas ranges from Ksh 14 million.
